K9 Bard – Dexter, Missouri

Died – 6/30/19
Handler – Officer Thomas Forkum

Dexter Police K-9 dies from infection

The Dexter Police are mourning the loss of one of their own following the death of police canine Bard. Bard underwent surgery on June 27 to remove a piece of metal from his paw. The surgery went well, according to a statement by the department, and Bard was at home recovering with his handler, Officer Thomas Forkum. During the evening hours of June 30, Forkum discovered Bard dead in his kennel. On July 1, the Dexter Veterinary Clinic performed the necropsy and discovered Bard had an infection of his intestines, resulting in vomiting. This led him to aspirate, causing his death. After an investigation, the department said, no foul play was suspected and this was “an unfortunate event.” The 2-year-old German shepherd recently went into service after eight weeks of training with Forkum. It was the first canine unit for the department since 2013. The Dexter Police Department expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Stoddard County Coroner Kenny Pope, Greg Mathis with Rainey Mathis Funeral Homes and the Dexter Veterinary Clinic for “going beyond the scope of their professions to assist the department during this difficult time.”

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Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
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